“I have had discussions with senior officers of the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), who all advise me that work could proceed once the Warrell Creek deviation is completed, which is expected to be sometime in May or June this year,” Mr Fraser said in his letter to the Deputy PM and Nationals Leader.

“I would contend that if Federal Government funding is available in this year’s Budget, that machinery that is currently utilised on the Warrell Creek deviation could start work all but immediately on the Coffs Harbour Bypass.

“If this machinery is moved elsewhere it could create further long delays for this important project.”

Mr Fraser has asked Mr McCormack, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and his Federal Government colleagues to favourably consider the Coffs Harbour Bypass in this year’s Budget.